Philadelphia's Best New Restaurants for Winter 2024

All’s fare in bites and bevies at these recently-opened Philadelphia restaurants.Music lovers can enjoy their favorite tunes with a side of delectable bites at 48 Record Bar.

48 RECORD BAR
Those longing to hear the sweet sound of crackles, pops and scratches will find their new listening haven at Old City’s 48 Record Bar (48recordbar.com). The venue, tucked above Sassafras, takes inspiration from Japan’s iconic audiophile bars. Inside the 37-person space that opened in early December, brick walls, thick curtains and a tin ceiling create stellar acoustics coupled with an ultra-high-fidelity audiophile vinyl sound system. While enjoying a listening or record release party, live music, author event or live podcast taping, sip one of their 16 cocktails like the barrel-finished Bluecoat gin Bond Girl. Analogera dishes such as Welsh rarebit and deviled eggs will sustain you until close.

Almyra’s interiors transport foodies to Greece.

ALMYRA
As the temperature dips to unsettling lows, a Greek summer dream is just what Philadelphians need to stay afloat. Enter Almyra (almyrarestaurant.com), a modern Greek restaurant and bar from Estia Restaurant Group that opened Dec. 1. Inspirations from the Mediterranean shoreline fill the 200-seat dining room and 45-seat bar, from neutral tones to textured fabrics, greenery flowing from the ceiling and driftwood from the beaches of Nafpaktos, Greece. Begin your experience with a glass of Greek wine or Petalouda cocktail with vodka, Mastiha, elderflower and butterfly pea tea. Bites like charred octopus, whipped feta and crispy zucchini chips are perfect for sharing before indulging in lamb chops with herb-marinated Australian lamb and layered potato fries.

BAR LESIEUR
In case you didn’t know, Center City’s Giuseppe & Sons has a new neighbor. As of Nov. 15, celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson welcomed Bar Lesieur (barlesieur.com) into his iconic collective. The French-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar boasts a low-lit ambiance with leather and dark wood accents. Once inside, francophiles can treat their tastebuds to a French-inspired wine list and creative cocktails like the Santé Spritz with Lillet rosé, vodka, sparkling brut and grapefruit soda. Complement each sip with delectable plates: mushroom carpaccio with pine nuts, thyme and parmesan; goat cheese crépes with pistachio, honey and rosemary; and dry-aged duck, to name a few. Just be sure to save room for one of their sweet temptations like chocolate soufflé.

Experience authentic Vietnamese street food at Miss Saigon.

MISS SAIGON
Authentic Vietnamese street food landed in Center City on Dec. 3 with a modern twist. Miss Saigon (misssaigonphilly.com), by entrepreneurs Kenny Poon and Dave Taing, encompasses two levels featuring lounges, three bars and a removable stage for drag shows. While sitting beneath hanging basket lights and vibrant pop-art murals by Wilfredo Morales of Frewil Design, guests can treat themselves to a selection of Vietnamese-inspired sips, cocktails in every shade of the pride flag and modern takes on classics: Think the Hang Sơn Đoòng with bacon-infused bourbon, orange maple syrup and Saigon chocolate bitters; or Hello Hà Nội with light rum, elderflower liqueur, lychee, pineapple and lime juice. Before the eatery transforms into a lively nightclub, savor bites like crabmeat fried rice, fresh giant river prawn sauté and skinni mini bánh mì.

Oltremare’s lobster francobolli

OLTREMARE
Prepare your tastebuds for a summer fête on the Amalfi Coast at Rittenhouse’s newest arrival: Oltremare (oltremarephl.com). The seafood-forward modern Italian eatery embodies a coastal atmosphere with blue and white accents, soft lighting and mirrored walls. Step into the 2,200-square-foot restaurant to find a 70-seat dining room, 12-seat bar and mezzanine before diving into chef/owner Townsend Wentz’s delectable menu. Flavorful plates like bluefin tuna crudo, spaghetti alla limone, ossobucco bianco and dorade are sure to delight, paired with Italian wine, amaros or tipples—a Negroni Spagliatto with Cocchi Torino, Campari and gin is just one of the tasty offerings.

MECHA Chocolate’s mendiants come in a variety of flavors.

MECHA CHOCOLATE
Whether you’re treating a Valentine or your own sweet tooth, MECHA Chocolate’s (mechachocolate.com) new location on East Passyunk Avenue awaits, treats in hand. Quality is at the heart of owner, chef and chocolatier Melissa Crandley’s vision, only using the highest quality chocolate from Cacao Barry, European butter and 40% cream, as well as organic and local ingredients. In MECHA’s barks, caramels, ganaches and seasonal treats, taste flavors from artisans, farmers, coffee roasters, distillers, brewers and more. Step outside your comfort zone with the ghost pepper sea salt bar, or play to your favorites with their sea salt caramel box.